Foodie Pen Pals

This month I participated in the Foodie Pen Pal exchange hosted by Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean. Thanks so much Lindsay for keeping this great fun exchange going! 

I received tons of fantastic goodies from Marcia, out in Missouri. What great picks! Fortunately, I took a picture of all the goodies before we inhaled the Kale Chips (YUMMM!). My 19mo old loved the Wasabi Rice Chips (he loves spicy food). She also included her personal favorite spicy nut mix, local honey, vegan jerkey, and nut butters. The wasabi peas are no joke--that's some intense flavor! She also included a CD by her daughter's boyfriend. Marcia, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

This Moment

This Moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember forever.

Inspired by SouleMama

Summer Solstice

Happy Summer Solstice to all my friends and family in the Northern Hemisphere! May we all have a glorious, sunny, and warm summer filled with garden bounty, delicious berries, fruits, greens, lots of grilling, and plenty of splashing and swimming in the pool!

Weekending

Hoping you are having a beautiful sunny weekend too!

This moment

This moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor, and hold in my heart.

 Inspired by SouleMama

Graduation

This morning, my sparkly, intelligent, kinesthetic, wondering, marvelous little boy graduated from Preschool.  We are so blessed to be a part of The Gardner School where Ale's intellectual and physical needs are met- above and beyond- what we could have ever dreamed.

 His wonderful teacher, the science teacher, and the aftercare teacher all surprised the students with a box of ladybugs. Each child had the chance to enjoy a few magical moments, before the ladybugs were all set loose and free to roam the school grounds located on five acres of wetlands.

Congratulations Alejandro. Mama is so very proud of you!

Roses After The Rain

 We moved into our 90 year old house in 2010.  The original owner  was an avid rose gardener. He planted a rose bush for every year of his marriage to his wife, up until his death in 2005. 

I have brought the roses back to their full glory from a mangled mess of canes and diseases. It has not been without sweat, hard work, tears, frustration, and hours of reading online and getting books from the library. 
 I am touched how the neighborhood appreciates these roses, their history, and their beauty. People passing by are kind enough to ask if I would consider cutting them a rose for their mother, wife, or girlfriend.

Yesterday evening, I went out to do some weeding. A light warm rain was falling and the scent was intoxicating. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.